Inking mechanism



Oct. 22, 1940. F. LAMATsciH INKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. y1'7. 1938 @N um www vuli

Patented Oct. 22, 1940 UNITED STATES INKING MECHANISM Frederick Lamatsch, Grantwood, N. J., assignor to Rf Hoe & Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 17, 1938, Serial No. 230,470

8 ClaimS. (Cl. 101-365) This invention relates to improvements in inking mechanism for printing machines, and more particularly to improvements in the ink rail whichforms a component of the inking mechanism for rotary printing machines to which ink is supplied from ink pumps.

In certain types of inking mechanism, particularly that shown in United States Letters Patent `No. 1,214,856 of February 6, 1917, to B. C. White, z, No. 1,311,198 of July 29, 1919, to B. C. White, and

No 1,713,655 of May 21, 1929, to J. J. Halliwell, the ink is delivered or supplied through a series of independent conduits, a separate conduit being provided for each column or other desired section of the-form.

jacent the member to which the ink is to be delivered, the nozzles or openings being provided in a frame or frame member, which, in this type of -mechanism, is termed the ink rail.

One nozzle or conduit terminal chamber is preferably provided for each column or section of the form, and it is desirable that the ink be supplied to the periphery of the ink receiving y cylinder or roller in thin uniform films each having its width substantially equal to the Width of a column. Engineers have directed their efforts to producing means for supplying or depositing an ink ilm of assured uniformity on the peripheral surface of the initial ink receiving cylinder or roller, from which the ink is supplied by the usual inking mechanism to the printing form or plate. To this end, ink rails having nozzles of the type disclosed in the Halliwell Patent No. 1,713,655 were designed and used extensively. 'Ihese ink rails constituted an improvement over inking mechanism of this kind as previously made, but as a result of further investigation and tests, this arrangement was subsequently superseded by one in which nozzles having long thin continuous outlets or slots were used, which last mentioned arrangement presented an improvement over that disclosed in the Halliwell patent hereinbefore mentioned.

In the aforementioned arrangements satisfactory results were produced when the arcuate surface of the ink supply rail was accurately adjusted to a predetermined dimension relative to the peripheral surface of the ink receiving cylinder @or roller.V With either of these arrangements however, if the inkrail was set even a small distance farther from the ink receiving cylinder than necessary, ink under some conditions would be deposited on the cylinder in the form of globules, which although spread to a great extent by the ink rollers would nevertheless produce noticeable blotches or heavily inked areas on the printed page.

It has been discovered by further research and experimentation that if the throat oi each ink nozzle chamber is provided with a long narrow opening interrupted by alternate channels and projections to provide a relatively large number of shallow outlet channels, that any globules in the ink will be broken up in passing through the relatively small openings, and a thin uniform body of ink Will be deposited on the ink receiving cylinder Without the necessity of highly accurate adjustment. While in this arrangement reasonably accurate adjustment is desirable, it has been found that a slight deviation from the correct adjustment measure will not affect the uniformity in the distribution of ink supplied to the ink cylinder or roller.

It is, therefore; an objectA of this invention to provide an improved ink rail having outlet nozzles constructed and arranged to supply uniform quantities of ink to the ink receiving cylinder or roller.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved ink rail having outlet nozzles provided With a relatively large number `or restricted outlet channels through which ink is supplied directly to the peripheral surface of the ink receiving roller or cylinder.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved ink rail having a plurality of ink discharge nozzles, the length of each nozzle being substantially equal tothe width of each co1- umn of the` form and having a relatively large number ofoutlet channels and interposed projections so that such projections will offer sufcient resistance to the outflow of the ink from each nozzle to produce a uniform pressure in the nozzle so that like quantities of ink will be supplied onto the peripheral surface of the ink cylinder or rollerthrough the channels of the nozzle.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved ink rail having a plurality of ink discharge nozzles, and each nozzle being provided with a relatively large number of outlet channels defined by relatively'thin interposed projections so that the ink emerging from adjacent channels will unite by its cohesive characteristics immediately adjacent the outlet terminal of each projection to thus supply a uniform deposit of ink to the peripheral surface of the ink receiving cylinder or roller.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved ink rail having outlet nozzle chambers provided with a relatively large number of relatively narrow projections presenting retarding areas to the outflow of ink from the nozzle chamber and defining a relatively large number of relatively small outlet channels of given outlet area, the retarding area of each projection being substantially equal to the. outlet area of each channel. l

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved ink rail having outlet nozzles constructed and arranged so that the ink flows back into the nozzles and their supply conduits when the inking mechanism is idle, thereby preventing the leaking of the ink from the nozzles during the idle periods of the printing machine, to thus prevent the accumulation of heavy ink spots or undesirable ink deposits on the peripheral surface of the ink receiving roller or cylinder.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide an improved inking mechanism for printing machines for printing separate columns, the inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, an ink rail located with relation to the ink cylinder, a nozzle chamber formed in the ink rail for each column, the length of the nozzle chamber being substantially equal to the width of the column,

ra conduit for each nozzle chamber through which ink is fed under pressure into the nozzle chamber, a relatively large number of relatively narrow projections defining eight or more relatively small outlet channels for each nozzle chamber and arranged in closely spaced relation throughout the length of each nozzle chamber so that substantially equal quantities of ink are fed through the separate channels to the surface of the ink cylinder.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an ink rail of generally improved construction, whereby the device will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as practicable, serviceable and eflicient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that various changes in form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacricing any advantages of the invention.

For a complete disclosure of the invention a detailed description of it will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of the improved ink rail depicted in assembled relation to the ink cylinder or roller of a conventional inking system,

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmental front view of the ink rail looking in the direction of arrow 3 of Figure 2,

Figure l is a fragmental plan view of the ink rail body with the cap or cover plate removed, and' Figure 5 is a bottom view of the cap or cover plate showing the improved outlet channel arrangement.

'Referring to the drawing, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts,I

there is depicted an ink receiving and distributing roller or cylinder Ill, to which ink is delivered from components of the inking mechanism, to be hereinafter disclosed, and the ink is transferred from the cylinder Il) to the forms or plates of a printing couple, not shown, by means of the conventional ink distributing roller system, not shown, but which construction is well understood by those skilled in the art.

The inking mechanism includes a frame or bar, known in the art as an ink rail, which rail Il eX- tends across the machine and has an arcuate face I2, the radius of which is preferably equal to the radius of the ink receiving roller or cylinder I8, so that this arcuate face may accurately conform to the peripheral surface of the ink receiving cylinder ID. Ink is delivered to this rail through a plurality of conduits I3, one conduit being provided for each column or other desired section of the form or forms on the conventional form cylinder of the printing couple. In the-particular construction shown, there are provided thirty-two conduits for supplying ink to four printing' plates or forms, each plate being of single page width and having eight columns to the page. Ink is delivered to these conduits under pressure by means of a plurality of pressure devices, such as the pumps disclosed in the White and Schmidt patents above referred to, these pumps being located in a fountain or pump housing indicated generally by the numeral I5, the pump housing being preferably supported by a lateral extension I6 of the ink rail Il.

Ink is delivered from the conduits I3 to ink delivering nozzles or chambers I1, one of these nozzle chambers II being provided for each conduit and a portion of it being preferably formed in the upper accurately machined surface I8 of the ink rail II immediately adjacent its arcuate surface I2. Caps or cover plates I9 are provided and have their bottom surfaces 20 machined to accurately engage the machined surface I8 of the ink rail II. 'I'hese caps or cover plates I9 may be of any preferred length to extend across the ink rail for distances equal to the Width of from one to four pages of the matter to be printed. In the present instance, two caps or cover plates I9 are provided so that each cap extends across two pages of the printing forms. These caps or cover plates I9 are secured to the ink rail I I by machine screws or other suitable securing devices 2|, and an arcuate surface 22 is formed in the forward face of each cap I9 to preferably form a continuation of the arcuate surface I2 of the ink rail when the cap is secured in intended position on the ink rail II, the arcuate surfaces I2 of the ink rail and the arcuate surface 22 of the cap or cover plate 22 being machined or formed with the same radius.

As is well understood by those skilled in the art, it is mandatory that the accurate surfaces I2 and 22 of the ink rail I I and cap or cover plate I9 be positioned in predetermined relation to the peripheral surface of the ink receiving cylinder I0. To this end, the ink rail I I is adjustably secured to components M of the machine frame by screws or suitable securing devices 23 that extend through slots 25 formed in attaching ears 25 which extend from the ink rail I I. The ink rail II may be adjustably moved to or from the ink receiving cylinder III by manipulating the conventional adjusting screws', indicated at 21 in Figure 1, this adjusting and securing means being well understood by those skilled in the art. 'I'he ink rail Il is biased towards the ink receiving cylinder I0 by means of helical springs 28, thereby holding the rail in adjusted position until the securing screws 25 are screwed to locked position,

This invention is directed primarily to the improved ink rail outlet chambers or nozzles, and, to this end, each nozzle includes an arcuate recess or orice 3B formed in the upper face of the ink rail II and having its bottom portion inclined, as best shown at 3| in Figure 2. 3 A frusto-conical aperture or port 33 extends downwardly from the arcuate recess or chamber 3l] and communicates with a cylindrical aperture 34 which receives the outer terminal of thenozzle conduit I3.

The lower face of each cap or cover plate I9 is provided with a plurality of shallow rectangular recesses 35 which are positioned immediately above the arcuate recesses 30 toform a part of each nozzle chamber I1. The arcuate recesses 30 and the shallow rectangular recesses 35 are preferably of equal length, which length is preferably equal to the width of one column of the printing form or the matter to be printed. A shallow pectinated outlet throat is provided for the nozzle chamber I1 by positioning a relatively great number of narrow projections 36 at .th'outlet terminal of each rectangular recess 35 to define arelatively large number of relatively small channels or ports 31 therebetween. These projections 36 preferably extend downwardly from the bottom face of each cap or cover plate I9y and engage the upper machined surface I8 of the ink rail II to thus divide the elongated shallow outlet throat of each nozzle intoa plurality of `relatively small outlet channels or ports, and the retarding area of each projection is preferably substantially equal to the outlet area of each channel.l

It has been found in research and experimentation that if a few relatively largeoutlet channels or ports are provided for each orifice, such as disclosed in the Halliwell Patent No. 1,713,655, satisfactory results can be produced with proper adjustment of the ink rail with relation to the ink cylinder. A later development provided a continuous shallow outlet orifice for each nozzle, the orifice extending throughout the length of the nozzle, which length `substantially equaled the width of one column of the form or matter to be printed. This arrangement provided an improvement, in that less accuracy of adjustment of the ink rail was required, but as the result of further research and experimentation, the type of ink nozzle and outlet orifice disclosed in this application has been developed. By providing a relatively great number of small orifices, preferably about one-sixteenth of an inch in width and of a height not to exceed this dimension, it is found that the ink issues from these channels in uniform jets which' immediately merge at the outer faces 150 of the narrow projections 33 into a uniform ink body. The projections 36 are preferably substantially of the same width as the outlet channels or ports 31, so that the retarding area of each projection 36 `is substantially equal to the outlet area of each channel 31. By this arrangement, any globules in the ink are broken up and a slight resistance is offered to the outilowing ink to set up an ink pressure in each nozzle chamber I1, so that uniform quantities of ink iiow through the ports Ior channels 31 to merge at the outer terminals of the projections 36 to deposit a uniform ink body on the periphery of the ink receiving cylinder IIJ. If a relatively small number of large projections, such as disclosed in the Halliwell Patent No. 1,713,655, are provided,

relatively large globules of ink can pass, and furthermore ink tends to issuev from the central channels or ports in greater quantity than from the terminal channels, thus supplying more ink to the central portion of the form column. This is especially true where very black matter is printed, which requires that a relatively grat quantity of ink be delivered from each nozzle. To a certain extent the same effect is true where a continuous slot is provided for each nozzle, because if the pressure is built up suiiiciently to supply they requisite ink to black or heavy forms, a greater quantity of ink tends to `flow from the intermediate portion of the outlet slots or channels than the terminal portions, thus resulting in black streaks which, of course, are objectionable in printed matter of high quality.

It has been found that the best results are produced where a relatively great number of alternate projections and outlet channels are provided for each column, preferably eight or more, up to 15 or more projections, and sixteen or more channels. As before stated, the large number of alternate narrow projections and channels offer sufficient resistance to the outflow of the ink to break up globules and to establish an ink pressure within each nozzle chamber I1 so that the ink pressure is equalized within each nozzle before the ink is supplied through the outlet channels 31 onto the peripheral surface of the ink distributing roller IU. Again, by providing relatively narrow projections 36, the space between each outflowing stream or jet of ink is relatively small, thus permitting the cohesive characteristics of the ink to cause these jets to immediately merge at the outer terminals of the nozzle projections 36 into a thin uniform. film or body which is immediately deposited on the peripheral surface of the ink cylinder Ill.

As hereinbefore stated, each conduit I3 supplies ink under pressure from its pump unit into the nozzle or chamber I1, and the projections or partitions 35 offer sufncient resistance to the outowing ink to produce slight pressure within each. nozzle chamber I1. This pressure is equalized throughout the chamber so that equal quantities of ink iiow outwardly from the nozzle chamber through the channels 31 onto the peripheral surface of the ink receiving cylinder I0. When the outflowing ink reaches-the outer terminals 40 of the projections 36 and interposed channels' 31, the cohesive characteristic inherent in the ink causes the ink from each outilowing jet or stream to immediately merge with the adjacent jet to thus deposit ink in a uniform body or strip on the peripheral surface of the ink cylinder Il) throughout the length of each column of the form or matter to be printed.v The relatively large number of narrow channelsI 31 define relatively thin projections or partitions 35 to thus facilitate the cohesion of the ink after it has passed youtwardly through the channels 31 to insure uniformity of ink supply throughout the length of each form column.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and it will be further understood that each and every novel feature and combination present in or possessed by the mechanism herein disclosed forms a part of the invention included in this application.v

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is:

l. In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing separate columns, the inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, a nozzle chamber for each column to be printed, the length of the nozzle chamber boing substantially equal to the width of a column, a conduit for each nozzle chamber through which ink is fed under pressure into the nozzle chamber, a relatively large number of relatively narrow substantially rectangular projections defining a relatively large number of relatively small substantially rectangular outlet channels for each nozzle chamber and arranged in closely spaced relation throughout the length of each nozzle chamber, the length of each rectangular outlet channel exceeding its height or width and its transverse area being uniform throughout its length, the projections and the outlet channels oiering sufficient resistance to the outiiow of the ink from the nozzle chamber to create an equalizing pressure in the nozzle chamber so that substantially equal quantities of ink are fed through the separate channels to the surface of the ink cylinder.

2. In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing separate columns, the inking mechanism including an inl: cylinder, a nozzle chamber for each column to'be printed, the length of the nozzle chamber being substantially equal to the width of a column, a conduit for each nozzle chamber through which ink is fed under pressure into the nozzle chamber, a relatively large number of relatively narrow projections defining a relatively large number of relatively small outlet channels for each nozzle chamber and arranged in closely spaced relation throughout the length of each nozzle chamber, the lateral walls of the projections defining the lateral walls of the outlet channels and the projections and the outlet channels oiering sufficient resistance to the outfiow of ink from the nozzle chamber to create an equalizing pressure in the nozzle chamber so that substantially equal quantities' of ink are fed through the seperate channels, the adjacent walls of adjacent outlet channels being parallel throughout the depth of the channels so that the ink after passing through the channels immediately coheres into a uniform body at the outer terminal of the narrow projections and is deposited as a uniform body on the surface of the ink cylinder, and the length of each outlet channel exceeding its height or width and itsI transverse area being uniform throughout its length.

3. In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing separate columns, the inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, a nozzle -chamber for each column to be printed, the

length of the nozzle chamber being substantially equal to the width c-f a column, a conduit for each nozzle chamber through which ink is fed under pressure into the nozzle chamber, a relatively large number of relatively narrow closely spaced paro-jections defining a relatively large numller of relatively narrow channel outlets for each nozzle chamber and arranged in closely spaced relation throughout the length of each nozzle chamber, the outlet area of the outlet channels being substantially equal to the retarding area of the projections.

4, In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing separate columns, the inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, a nozzle chamber for each column to be printed, the

length of the nozzle chamber being substantially equal to the width of a column, a conduit for each nozzle chamber through which ink is fed under pressure into the nozzle chamber, a relatively large number of relatively narrow projections presenting retarding areas to the outflow of ink from the nozzle chamber and defining a relatively large number of relatively small outlet channels of given outlet area for each nozzle chamber and arranged in closely spaced relation throughout the length of each nozzle chamber to feed ink to the surface of the ink cylinder, the retarding area of each projection being substantially equal to the outlet area of each channel.

5. In an inking mechanism for printing machines, for printing separate columns, the inling mechanism including an ink cylinder, a nozzle chamber for each column to be printed, the length of the nozzle chamber being substantially equal to the Width of a column, a conduit for each nozzle chamber through which ink is fed under pres-sure into the nozzle chamber, pectinated outlet throat for the chamber extending throughout the length of the chamber and deiined by alternate relatively narrow rectangular projections and relatively narrow rectangular outlet channels, the length of each rectangular outlet channel exceeding its height or width and its transverse area being uniform throughout its length, the projections and the outlet aperturesoffering sufcient resistance to the outflow of the ink from the nozzle chamber to create an equalizing pressure in the nozzle chamber so that substantially equal quantities of ink are fed through the separate channels to the surface of the ink cylinder.

6. In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing separate columns, the inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, a nozzle chamber for each column to be printed, a conduit for each nozzle chamber through which ink is fed under vpressure into the nozzle chamber, a plurality of horizontal outlet channels extending outwardly from the nozzle chamber towards' the ink cylinder, the length of each outlet channel exceeding its height or width and its transverse area being uniform throughout its length, the nozzle chamber having a rearwardly and downwardly inclined straight bottom Wall which extends throughout the area of the chamber Where- "l by ink present in the nozzle chamber is retained against outflow when pressure is discontinued in the conduit.

7. In an inking mechanism for printing machines' for printing separate columns, the inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, a nozzle chamber fr each column to be printed, a conduit for each nozzle chamber through which inl; is fed under pressurel into the nozzle chamber, a plurality of horizontal outlet channels extending outwardly from the nozzle chamber towards the ink-cylinder, the length of each outlet channel exceeding its height or width and its transverse area being uniform throughout its length, the nozzle chamber having a rearwardly and downwardly inclined straight bottom wall which extends throughout the area of the chamber and a substantially horizontally disposed top wall to dene a chamber having greater cross sectional area at its rear portion whereby inl: present in the nozzle chamber is retained against outflow when pressure isl discontinued in the conduit.

8. In an inking mechanism for printing machines for printing separate columns, the inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, a nozzle chamber for each column to be printed, a conduit for each nozzle chamber through which ink is fed under pressure into the nozzle chamber, a plurality of outlet channels extending substantially horizontally outwardly from each nozzle chamber towards the ink cylinder, the length of each outlet channel exceeding its height or width and itsI transverse area being uniform throughout its length, and an enlarged port interposed between each nozzle chamber and its conduit.

FREDERICK LAMATSCH. 

